Local politicians sound off on special election

TRENTON — According to most in local government, Gov. Chris Christie is using the special senatorial election as a way to stroke his own ego.

“This is a huge waste of taxpayer money just so his name can be at the top of the ballot during the general elections in November,” said New Jersey State Senator Shirley Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon); a very vocal opponent of the special elections.

Turner, whose bill to combine the special and general elections has passed both the senate and house, is astonished at how brazen and bullish the governor’s actions have been since he announced an impromptu primary for Aug. 13 and the special election on Oct. 16. The election will fill the seat of the late Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who retook office in 2003, but died on June 3, 2013. The successor will be seated for the remainder of the term ending Jan. 3, 2015.

The cost to execute the two special elections could run upwards of $24 million, and according to Turner, there are no secured funds or even a line item in the state budget which would pay the additional expense. “Where is the money going to come from?” she wondered.

A low voter turnout is also expected for both the summer primary and fall election, according to Turner. “The governor expects voters to come out in August, when most people are on vacation or doing back-school-shopping,” she said. “Then he wants them to come out again on a Wednesday in October, which is very confusing to begin with because we always vote on a Tuesday, and finally we have a general election in November. We have such a low voter turnout already in the state and by adding these two additional elections we may end up with voter fatigue.”

Turner refused to endorse any candidate for senate before the election, fearing that her selection may be construed as her condoning the uncommon “spur of the moment,” election and could further confuse voters.

Others in local government agree with Turner, citing a huge inconvenience to local municipalities.

County Executive Brian Hughes echoed Turner’s views regarding the special election however, a huge Rush Holt fan, Hughes hopes the district councilman with his unusual rise into public office will put Mercer County on the map. “I’ve been a constituent for 13 years in his district and he is a true hometown congressman,” said Hughes. “Plus he was a scientist and I think that will be very beneficial to Washington.”

Local municipalities are being forced to revise their traditional election process, in order to satisfy the Governor’s need for a special election.

“In Princeton, as in many other towns in the state, having an election in August causes some technical difficulty, because we use our schools as poling locations,” said Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert. “Because they are closed in August and we have no air conditioning in them we had to find other location so our poll worker would find a suitable place to work.”

The township has devised a way to double up districts at select air conditioned polling sites. However, Lempert is worried about voter turnout, “We need to make sure all our voters double check their absent tee ballets that will be in the mail or check our website to make sure they go to the right location.”

The Princeton official endorsed Rush Holt and hopes the “hometown senator will make a big splash on the federal level. “We’re lucky there are many great candidates on the democratic side, but I’m endorsing Rush because he’s been a great congressmen, excellent on the issues, he’d represent both Princeton and state really well in Washington,” said Lempert.

Trenton Mayor Tony Mack, did not comment about his feelings regarding the special election but was thrilled to endorse Newark’s hometown hero. “I am unequivocally supporting Mayor Cory Booker in the upcoming United States Senate election,” said Mack in an emailed statement. “Mayor Booker understands the day-to-day issues of all communities and he recognizes that government begins at the local level. This is the kind of philosophy we need to send to Washington, DC.”

But not all local officials believe the Governor is looking for a way to flatter himself despite the cost to the taxpayer. Robbinsville Mayor David Fried believes Christie is actually giving a voice to taxpayers-- one they may have never had before.

“I’m not sure you’ll be able to get people to focus on a senator race in November in the midst of a long gubernatorial race,” he said. “By having a special election, voters can focus on the candidates and what they represent; it is a way for people to choose wisely.”

When asked about the additional expense to fund the unconventional election process, Fried believes it is money well spent. “Take a look at all the money wasted by the so call fiscally responsible Democratic party, talk about a waste of money … look at all the unfunded mandates they put out.”